More candidates enter Triangle legislative races

Several more challengers and newcomers filed for N.C. General Assembly races this week, setting up competitive primary and general election contests in several Wake and Johnston County districts.

Here’s a quick look at who signed up this week:

Shirley Hicks is challenging longtime incumbent Rep. Rosa Gill in the Democratic primary for House District 33, which includes Southeast Raleigh. Hicks owns a business that helps people apply for disability benefits. She’s a former State Employees Association of North Carolina delegate who’s currently working on a Ph.D.

“If elected to the N.C. House of Representatives, I will work hard to bring about changes that will allow individuals and families live more comfortably now and in the future,” Hicks wrote on her campaign website, which doesn’t mention Gill.

Eric Weaver is the only Republican so far running for the N.C. Senate seat currently held by Democrat Josh Stein, who’s running for attorney general. Weaver is a real-estate agent and former police chief who ran unsuccessfully for state House in 2008.

Jonathan Graham is a Garner Democrat who’s running for the N.C. House seat currently held by Rep. Paul “Skip” Stam, who is retiring. He’ll face former Wake County Commissioner Lindy Brown in the Democratic primary. Dome couldn’t find any information about Graham or his campaign online.

Dennis Nielsen is a perennial candidate who’s running in the Republican primary for Rep. Leo Daughtry’s House seat representing Johnston County. Daughtry is not running again. Nielson, a military veteran who owns the Freedom Arms gun store in Clayton, will face Johnston school board member Donna White in the GOP primary. Rich Nixon, a Democrat, is also running for the seat.

DomeTracker: NC candidates

The filing period for statewide offices for the 2016 elections is from Dec. 1 to Dec. 21. The primary will be held March 15. The general elections will be held Nov. 9.

Some candidates have already announced their intention to run for an office. This tracker will be updated throughout the filing period.

Search for candidates by office or name. Move through the list by clicking the previous and next buttons. Candidate names may not be visible on smartphones; click the green plus sign to display names.

Under the Dome is your inside source on North Carolina politics and government and has been a regular feature in The N&O since 1934. Check here for the latest on state and federal government, political advocacy and upcoming elections. This blog is maintained by the N&O politics staff.